Pyrenees - val d’aran

Alarm. Darkness. Hotel blackout blinds open. Still darkness. Shower in oversize shower room with dinner plate shower head. Do teeth in both his and hers sinks. Find base layer in fitted wardrobe. Wond

It’s a dog’s life. Staying in Val Cenis, the day started cold, but with the astonishing clarity of sunshine and light you only find in the mountains in winter. Kitted out in my warmest gear, I took th

I’ve been thinking about this climb for months. If I can just get up it, I’ll feel I’ve broken the back of this brutal bike leg. But talking of broken backs, mine is straining. Like fudge doughnuts, s

The Doc’s Spanish sojourn leaves him with glowing surface impressions

On arrival at Arc 1800, one of five resorts in the Les Arcs ski region in southeast France, we were surprised to discover a 4ft dump of snow had fallen overnight. Skis were parked up, snowmen were bei

The parks and wilderness areas of Italy are some of the most dramatic on the continent, ranging from Europe’s highest active volcano to the last refuge of the Marsican bear. We pick 21 of the wildest to explore…